By Tony Perkins
The First Amendment guarantees more than the freedom to speak. It also protects the freedom not to speak—a right the U.S. Supreme Court just denied Elaine Huguenin.
For the photographer and her husband, this latest development was a crushing one, especially as Christian business owners continue to find themselves on the losing side of the clash between political correctness and the marketplace.
Unfortunately, the Huguenins, who turned down a job to take pictures of a lesbian commitment ceremony, aren’t the only victims of this suit. So are hundreds of other wedding vendors who had hoped the court would finally provide some clarity in the chaos their own June marriage ruling helped create. Instead, the justices ignored an opportunity to reaffirm the basic principle that the government can’t trample on fundamental rights of free speech and religion.
As a result, the New Mexico Supreme Court, the very one that punished the Huguenins for trying to living out their faith in the workplace, will have the final say. And what a say it was. In a ruling that stunned even liberals, the judges suggested that American family businesses like Elane Photography are “now compelled by law to compromise the very religious beliefs that inspire their lives.” It is, the court writes, “the price of citizenship.”
Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Jordan Lorence, who represented the husband-wife team, couldn’t believe his ears.
“Should the government force a videographer who is an animal rights activist to create a video promoting hunting and taxidermy?” Jordan asked. “Of course not, and neither should the government force this photographer to promote a message that violates her conscience.”
Related link:
Justices reject review of case concerning religious liberty in the marketplace
2 Comments. Leave new
Absolutely ridiculous!!!!! What ever happened to the right to turn down business from a business YOU own!! Can’t a bar owner refuse to serve someone who is intoxicated! A covienience store can refuse to serve someone with no shirt or no shoes! I guess no one has the say on how Good or in focus those pics might be??????
One would be very foolish indeed to force a photographer — who is a creative artist, after all — to take pictures that he or she did not want to take. Do you think the pictures will turn out well if the photographer’s heart isn’t in it, or worse, feels resentful for being forced?
Get real.
There are plenty of gay and lesbian photographers in the world of commerce. Find one, and support their businesses by hiring them if you are gay. Put your money where your mouth is.
Unless, of course, you’re trying to make a big point. But I doubt that the pictures will be of the quality that you can save to show to your children. Oh, wait .. . never mind.